The Microbiology Behind a Super Healthy Mouth
What really causes cavities, bad breath, and gum disease.
Did you know there are more bacteria in the body than human cells?1
It’s true— we’re outnumbered!
The health of these bacteria directly relates to the health of your body, and this goes beyond the gut.
Your mouth is home to about 700 different species of bacteria and they play an important role in your oral health and overall wellbeing.2
Wait a minute... aren't bacteria bad for your teeth?
Not necessarily! While it’s true that some strains cause problems, most of the bacteria in your mouth are actually on your side.
They strengthen your immune system, aid digestion, defend against decay, and can help prevent gum disease. Problems arise when the bad bacteria outnumber the good.
It's all about the good guys.
Conventional oral care products emphasize eliminating bad bacteria with chemicals like fluoride and alcohol, but often fail to repopulate the mouth with good bacteria. Much like antibiotics disrupt your digestive system, overusing these bacteria-fighting oral care products without supporting healthy oral flora can leave the door open for pathogens to take over – leading to more decay, odor, and disease.
1. 1. Sender R, Fuchs S, Milo R (2016) Revised Estimates for the Number of Human and Bacteria Cells in the Body. PLoS Biol 14(8): e1002533. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.1002533
2. Aas JAPaster BJStokes LN, Olsen I, Dewhirst FE 2005. Defining the Normal Bacterial Flora of the Oral Cavity. J Clin Microbiol 43:. https://doi.org/10.1128/jcm.43.11.5721-5732.2005
Symptom science.
What's really causing...
Cavities
Your enamel is always in a state of either remineralization (building up) or demineralization (breaking down). And it all depends on the pH of your saliva.
When overrun by acid-producing bacteria, like Streptococcus mutans, the pH of your mouth drops and tiny holes (aka cavities) begin to form in your enamel. Beneficial bacteria help inhibit the growth of S. mutans and keep your oral pH balanced, allowing saliva to resume its job of remineralizing your teeth.
Bad Breath
It’s a misconception that one garlicky lunch or a long nap is the primary cause of halitosis, chronically stinky breath. The most common culprits are sulfur-producing bacteria that like to take up residence on the surface of your tongue and along your gum line.
Unfortunately, brushing alone may not fully remove these problematic microbes, leaving them to multiply in the fissures of your tongue, especially when there aren’t enough good bacteria to keep them in check.
Gum Disease
If your gums bleed when you floss, it means that the community of bacteria that live in your mouth (known as your oral microbiome) is imbalanced. Bleeding gums are a sign of gingivitis.
Gingivitis develops when harmful bacterial strains, like Treponema denticola and Porphyromonas gingivalis, multiply and cause of inflammation of the gum tissue, and it can often go undetected due to mild symptoms.
However, if left unchecked, the bacteria can migrate below the gum line and cause more serious problems that include severe inflammation and bone loss.
But don’t worry, there’s hope — a balanced oral microbiome with plenty of beneficial bacteria can keep gum disease in check.
Oral Systemic Disease
Your mouth is a mirror to your overall health and wellness.
An oral microbiome that is in dysbiosis (meaning harmful bacteria outweigh the good) doesn’t just impact your oral health – it also puts the rest of your body at risk. Pathogenic oral bacteria can gain direct access to the gut every time you swallow. They can also enter the circulatory system via normal hygiene activities like brushing or flossing, especially when your gums are inflamed, which allows easy access to the bloodstream.
If your oral microbiome is imbalanced, you run the risk of compromising your health by allowing pathogenic bacteria to access areas of your bodies where they are not meant to be. Dental probiotics help displace and inhibit the growth of bad bacteria, decreasing pathogenic bacterial load in the mouth and body.
Read study
Rebuild Your Microbiome, Rebuild Your Health.
Great oral health can only be achieved with a healthy, balanced oral microbiome.
In addition to a nutrient-rich diet, proper airway breathing, and a good oral hygiene routine, supplementing the oral microbiome with dental probiotics (beneficial bacteria) can help shift the mouth to a healthier state.
The role of probiotics
Not all probiotics have the same effect on the body. Some are more helpful for skin health or reproductive function, while others are more beneficial for vision and metabolic health.
Dental probiotics are designed specifically for the mouth. They can help neutralize the pH in your mouth, break up plaque and inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria.
The role of prebiotics
Bacteria can only survive and multiply if they have enough to eat. Cavity-forming bacteria feed on sugars that are metabolized into enamel-eroding acid. Prebiotics, on the other hand, are a form of fiber that probiotics feed on, which enables them to multiply in numbers and crowd out bad bugs. When paired with dental probiotics, this dynamic duo packs a punch for your oral health.
Why hydroxyapatite?
This non-toxic mineral makes up 97% of your tooth enamel. It provides structure and promotes remineralization of enamel that makes your teeth strong and healthy.
Hydroxyapatite can also help minimize tooth sensitivity, fend off bad bacteria, and naturally whiten teeth. It is also one of the most effective ingredients for preventing tooth decay — without the risks that come with fluoride consumption.
Why xylitol?
Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol that starves acid-forming bacteria in your mouth. Busting through plaque is tricky business, but xylitol blocks problematic bacterial growth to slow biofilm construction.
It also increases the pH of your mouth, creating a slightly alkaline environment that’s more resistant to pathogens and decay. Xylitol is favored in the dental community as an important ingredient in the fight against cavities.
Why CoQ10?
This antioxidant powerhouse is naturally produced by the body and does wonders for your mouth. So much so that a deficiency can lead to problems like dry mouth and inflammation that contribute to an overgrowth of bad bacteria and a number of oral health problems.